Clutch system for a torque transmission

Abstract

A clutch system for a torque transmission. The clutch system includes a first rotatable unit connectable to an input, including at least one first abutment surface and a second rotatable unit connectable to an output, including at least one second abutment surface arranged for selectively engaging the first abutment surface. The first and second abutment surfaces being adapted to each other so as to allow disengaging under load. The system includes a third rotatable unit arranged for selectively being in a first position or a second position relative to the second rotatable unit, wherein at least one retaining member of the third rotatable unit selectively locks the at least one second abutment surface in engagement with the at least one first abutment surface for selectively rotationally coupling the second rotatable unit to the first rotatable unit.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A clutch system for a torque transmission having an input arranged for connection to a drive source, and an output arranged for connection to a load, the clutch system including:
 a first rotatable unit connectable to the input, including at least one first abutment surface; 
 a second rotatable unit connectable to the output, including at least one second abutment surface arranged for selectively engaging the at least one first abutment surface, the at least one first and second abutment surfaces being adapted to each other so as to allow disengaging under load; 
 a third rotatable unit including at least one retaining member, the third rotatable unit being arranged for selectively being in a first position or a second position relative to the second rotatable unit, wherein the at least one retaining member in the first position locks the at least one second abutment surface in engagement with the at least one first abutment surface, preventing the at least one second abutment surface from disengaging from the at least one first abutment surface, for rotationally coupling the second rotatable unit to the first rotatable unit, and in the second position releases the at least one second abutment surface for disengagement of the at least one first abutment surface for decoupling the second rotatable unit from the first rotatable unit. 
 
     
     
       2. The clutch system according to  claim 1 , wherein the third rotatable unit is arranged for co-rotating with the second rotatable unit, and the clutch system is arranged for temporarily changing rotation speed of the third rotatable unit relative to the second rotatable unit for rotating from the first position to the second position, or from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
       3. The clutch system according to  claim 1 , including an actuator for rotating the third rotatable unit and/or the second rotatable unit from the first position to the second position, and/or from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
       4. The clutch system according to  claim 3 , wherein the actuator is triggerable from outside the clutch system. 
     
     
       5. The clutch system according to  claim 1 , wherein the third rotatable unit is rotatable relative to the second rotatable unit, and a rotation angle of the third rotatable unit relative to the second rotatable unit is unlimited. 
     
     
       6. The clutch system according to  claim 5 , wherein the third rotatable unit is arranged to be rotated from the first position to the second position, and from the second position to the first position in one and the same rotational direction. 
     
     
       7. The clutch system according to  claim 5 , wherein the third rotatable unit is arranged for selectively being in one of a plurality of first or second positions relative to the second rotatable unit. 
     
     
       8. The clutch system according to  claim 1 , wherein the engagement or disengagement of the second abutment surface with the at least one first abutment surface is independent of input torque and/or rotation speed. 
     
     
       9. The clutch system according to  claim 1 , wherein the third rotatable unit includes at least one actuation member arranged for moving the third rotatable unit from a first position to a second position or from a second position to a first position relative to the second rotatable unit. 
     
     
       10. The clutch system according to  claim 9 , further including a fourth unit including a selector, the selector being arranged for selectively being in a gripping mode or a non-gripping mode,
 the selector in the gripping mode being arranged for gripping the at least one actuation member for rotating the third rotatable unit from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position relative to the second rotatable unit; 
 the selector in the non-gripping mode being arranged for not engaging the at least one actuation member. 
 
     
     
       11. A clutch system for a torque transmission having an input arranged for connection to a drive source, and an output arranged for connection to a load, the clutch system including:
 a first rotatable unit connectable to the input; 
 a second rotatable unit connectable to the output; 
 a third rotatable unit being arranged for selectively being in a first rotational position or a second rotational position relative to the second rotatable unit, wherein the system is arranged for selectively in the first rotational position rotationally coupling the second rotatable unit to the first rotatable unit, and in the second rotational position decoupling the second rotatable unit from the first rotatable unit, wherein the third rotatable unit includes at least one actuation member arranged for moving the third rotatable unit from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position relative to the second rotatable unit; and 
 a fourth unit including a selector, the selector being arranged for selectively being in a gripping mode or a non-gripping mode, 
 the selector in the gripping mode being arranged for gripping the at least one actuation member for rotating the third rotatable unit from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position relative to the second rotatable unit; 
 the selector in the non-gripping mode being arranged for not engaging the at least one actuation member. 
 
     
     
       12. The clutch system according to  claim 11 , wherein the first rotatable unit includes at least one first abutment surface, and the second rotatable unit includes at least one second abutment surface arranged for selectively engaging the first abutment surface, wherein the third rotatable unit includes at least one retaining member arranged for in the first position locking the at least one second abutment surface in engagement with the at least one first abutment surface for rotationally coupling the second rotatable unit to the first rotatable unit, and in the second position releasing the at least one second abutment surface for disengagement of the at least one first abutment surface for decoupling the second rotatable unit from the first rotatable unit. 
     
     
       13. The clutch system according to  claim 1 , wherein the third rotatable unit includes a first body and a second body, wherein the first body includes the at least one retaining member, and the second body includes the at least one actuation member. 
     
     
       14. The clutch system according to  claim 13 , wherein the first body is rotationally resiliently coupled to the second body. 
     
     
       15. The clutch system according to  claim 1 , the second rotatable unit including a retractor member arranged for moving the at least one actuation member out of engagement with the fourth unit. 
     
     
       16. The clutch system according to  claim 11 , wherein the selector includes a groove including a first partial groove and a second partial groove, wherein in the gripping mode the first and second partial grooves allow engaging the at least one actuation member, and in the non-gripping mode the first and second partial grooves allow preventing engagement of the at least one actuation member. 
     
     
       17. The clutch system according to  claim 11 , including two actuation members arranged such that when the first actuation member is biased into contact with the selector, the second actuation member is maintained at a distance from the selector and vice versa. 
     
     
       18. The clutch system according to  claim 17 , wherein the selector is arranged to be in a first mode or in a second mode, wherein in the first mode the selector is in the gripping mode for the first actuation member and in the non-gripping mode for the second actuation member, and in the second mode the selector is in the non-gripping mode for the first actuation member and in the gripping mode for the second actuation member. 
     
     
       19. The clutch system according to  claim 18 , wherein the selector includes a groove including a first partial groove, a second partial groove and a third partial groove, wherein in the first mode the first and second partial grooves allow gripping the first actuation member, and in the second mode the second and third grooves allow gripping the second actuation member. 
     
     
       20. The clutch system according to  claim 19 , wherein the second partial groove and the third partial groove are arranged to be moved. 
     
     
       21. The clutch system according to  claim 20 , wherein the second and third partial groove are arranged to be moved in opposite directions. 
     
     
       22. The clutch system according to  claim 21 , wherein the second partial groove is arranged for moving in the same direction as the first actuation member when the second partial groove moves from the non-gripping mode to the gripping mode for the first actuation member, and the third partial groove is arranged for moving in the same direction as the second actuation member when the third partial groove moves from the non-gripping mode to the gripping mode for the second actuation member. 
     
     
       23. The clutch system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one second abutment surface is a gripping member arranged for radially moving in and out of engagement with the at least one first abutment surface. 
     
     
       24. The clutch system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first and/or second abutment surface is biased to disengage. 
     
     
       25. The clutch system according to  claim 1 , including a plurality of first and/or second abutment surfaces and a plurality of retaining members. 
     
     
       26. The clutch system according to  claim 11 , wherein first, second, third, and/or fourth unit are coaxial. 
     
     
       27. A torque transmission, including a clutch system according to  claim 1 , and a planetary gear, wherein the clutch system is arranged in the torque transmission so as to selectively couple two of the group consisting of: a sun gear, a planet carrier and a ring gear. 
     
     
       28. A wheel axle assembly including a torque transmission according to  claim 27 . 
     
     
       29. A wheel axle assembly according to  claim 28 , arranged for receiving a cassette having a plurality of gear wheels. 
     
     
       30. A bicycle including a clutch system according to  claim 1 .